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City Council Minutes <br /> May 5, 2020 <br /> Page 14 of 19 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> A Council consensus was made to contact Lakefield to get the resolution, draft it <br /> to Pequot Lake's resolution standards, contact the City Attorney and get his <br /> advisement and then call a Special City Council meeting for your consideration. <br /> 10.2. Resolution Suaportina Sustainable Fundina Source for COVID-19 Coveraae for <br /> Public Safetv and Health Care Workers <br /> Nancy Malecha informed the Council that there recently was coverage put in <br /> place for COVID-19 for public safety and health care workers. She stated the <br /> legislation that was put in place was to utilize the workers compensation program <br /> to fund coverage for these essential workers. She said the League of Minnesota <br /> Cities has noted that that there is a lack of sustainable funding for coverage and <br /> the impact that would have on municipalities across Minnesota. Ms. Malecha is <br /> requesting the Council consider adopting a resolution supporting the <br /> establishment of a sustainable fund outside of the workers' compensation <br /> program to pay for COVID-19 coverage for public safety and health care workers. <br /> She stated that she does believe coverage for these individuals is important but <br /> the League of Minnesota cities and herself are concerned that the workers' <br /> compensation program is not a good funding source. <br /> Council Member Ackerson asked why we don't just add more money to the <br /> workman's comp program. Ms. Malecha stated the only way to add more money <br /> would be to increase premiums and if you increase premiums that is going to <br /> affect all the City's budgets as well. She stated that it is an option but then there <br /> are going to be economic ramifications to all the Cities across Minnesota. Council <br /> Member Akerson stated that those people obviously should be compensated he <br /> does not understand why they cannot be covered under another program. <br /> Council Member Pederson asked for clarification that there is $2.5 billion dollars <br /> and that would have to be spread out to local governments. Ms. Malecha stated <br /> that they are estimating the worker's compensation costs for public safety <br /> employees would range from a hundred million to more than 500 million dollars <br /> and as it stands now local governments will have no choice but to pass along <br /> these costs to property taxpayers at a time when they can least afford it. Council <br /> Member Pederson asked if this resolution that supports a sustainable funding <br /> source would help eliminate that possibility. Ms. Malecha stated that yes it is to <br /> find a funding source outside of the worker's compensation program. <br /> COUNCIL MEMBER SWANSON MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 20-20 <br /> SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING <br /> SOURCE OUTSIDE OF THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS TO <br /> PAY FOR COVID-19 COVERAGE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH CARE <br /> WORKERS. COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. <br /> MOTION CARRIED 5-0. <br /> 10.3. 2021 Preliminarv Budaet Discussion <br />